We Don't Need To Whisper
by Angels and Airwaves
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 23, 2006
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    50
    We Don't Have to Whisper is too doggedly dour and amorphous to be more than a curiosity.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Whisper encompasses everything a rock band should be in 2006. [Jul 2006, p.202]
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  3. Billboard
    50
    Many of Angel's midtempo tracks, while well-intentioned, fail to reach the lofty heights to which they aspire.
  5. Blender
    40
    The resulting batch of songs... just pad out the duller bits of blink, then add walls of mid-'80s-era U2 guitar chimes. [Jun 2006, p.136]
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  6. Drowned In Sound
    20
    By aiming to sound like U2 and Pink Floyd, AVA ends up sounding like an emo version of an even more plodding Coldplay.
  7. E! Online
    67
    Listening to all this Edge-y guitar doodling and whiny wailing, the question remains: Why mess with a fun, 20-million-album-selling formula for this ponderous prog project?
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    If only DeLonge's nasal vocals were more suited to the Robert Smith romanticism of tracks like "It Hurts." [26 May 2006, p.107]
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  9. musicOMH.com
    60
    While Angels & Airwaves are pretty good, don't pick up We Don't Have To Whisper expecting a revolutionary sound designed to shatter your worldview and change your life. On the other hand, if you want something to fill the gap while U2 are recording are their new album, look no further.
  10. Rolling Stone
    50
    DeLonge yanks heartstrings with so-so results.
  11. Spin
    60
    Here, his three sidemen elevate [DeLonge's] emo tendencies to something grander and more timelessly romantic--though somewhat less exciting. [Jul 2006, p.82]
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  12. The A.V. Club
    42
    We Don't Need To Whisper feels like 50 long minutes of DeLonge proving himself as an artist.
  13. Uncut
    40
    Coming from a former punk goof, all this sentimentality feels somewhat po-faced. [Jul 2006, p.84]
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2006
54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 194 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 271
  3. Negative: 53 out of 271
  1. EPIXMAN15
    Jan 23, 2012
    6
    Though a clever album and relatively well composed tracks it still falls short of what Tom said Angels and Airwaves would be. I do believe TomThough a clever album and relatively well composed tracks it still falls short of what Tom said Angels and Airwaves would be. I do believe Tom over specualated when he said this was going to be the best thing in Rock music he went o to say it was even better than Blink-182 (which it is not). So sad for Tom that he no longer takes pride in his best world which was Blink-182… Full Review »
  2. notnax
    Jul 31, 2019
    6
    not a great album overall, some tracks feels slow and unnecesary in certain parts.
    there are some great tracks in here though.
  3. axelkoch
    Aug 11, 2012
    9
    Intelligent, chilling and beautiful. That's exactly what the first album of Angels & Airwaves is. I wouldn't believe that this is the projectIntelligent, chilling and beautiful. That's exactly what the first album of Angels & Airwaves is. I wouldn't believe that this is the project of blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge, if I wouldn't recognize his voice. Completely different but also amazing. His voice sounds extremely beautiful here and the songs are really good made. Brilliant musicians made one fantastic album here, which is sadly very underrated.… Full Review »
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